South Florida

Fishwife Restaurant to Open in Key West Early 2026

Fishwife brings Bahamian-inspired seafood, a full bar, and a Key West island atmosphere.

Ryan and Emma Shapiro (left, middle) and Matthew Cohen (right) | Picture courtesy of Fishwife

KEY WEST, FL — Chef and restaurateur Ryan Shapiro plans to open Fishwife at 223 Petronia St, Key West, FL 33040 in January or February, pending completion of construction, he told Business Debut.

The new restaurant is a partnership between Shapiro, his longtime culinary school partner Matthew Cohen, and his wife Emma Shapiro, who he says plays a central role in the business.

What to Expect

Fishwife will occupy a two-story space with roughly 120 seats, including an upstairs patio where the team is adding a second bar to complement the existing one downstairs. The restaurant will operate with a full liquor license and follow the cocktail program established at Shapiro’s Stock Island property, The Docks.

The menu and atmosphere will reflect a Bahamian-influenced, easygoing island style rooted in Key West. “Just simple, good, fresh food,” Shapiro told Business Debut.

Shapiro grew up in a commercial fishing family and owns both The Docks and Keith’s Fresh Seafood Market on Stock Island. Much of Fishwife’s product including fish, stone crab, lobster, and other seafood will come directly off his own boats or those of friends he has known since childhood. The menu will be seafood-forward and supported by oysters sourced from Northeast farms owned by friends.

For non-seafood eaters, Fishwife will offer dishes such as a smash burger, which Shapiro is particularly excited about. “I work with seafood 24/7, so I get excited about a good burger,” he told Business Debut. He also plans to bring over the popular fish and chips from The Docks. It's a dish he notes once drew praise from Gordon Ramsay. Additional experimental items, including a vegetarian oyster concept.

The Story Behind the Name

While choosing names shortly after marrying, Shapiro and his wife kept circling back to “Fishwife,” a term traditionally used in the Northeast to describe the fisherman’s wife. Often a tough, outspoken woman who sold the catch while her husband was offshore. Shapiro said the name resonated not only with his commercial fishing background, but also with the important role his wife plays in supporting his life and businesses.

Opening Timeline

Fishwife is targeting a January or February opening, dependent on construction progress.

Hours

The restaurant will open seven days a week. Final hours are to be announced, but service will include lunch and dinner, with brunch under consideration.